Littered amongst the hordes were special infected like The Witch, The Tank, The Hunter, The Smoker and The Boomer. Of course, the survivors weren’t just contended by basic jobber infected who ran at the player, looking to take a few swings. Each campaign was composed of numerous chapters, with the last one typically being a massive finale set piece that requires players to work together in order to win. The premise of Left 4 Dead couldn’t be simpler, with you controlling four survivors (Bill, Zoey, Louis and Francis) as they try to survive against hordes of infected, running, gunning and sometimes even both with the hope of reaching that chapter’s safe room. Valve’s Gabe Newell even said as much in a press release regarding the announcement. Previously, Turtle Rock had been known as the developers behind Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, so there was a keen sense that Left 4 Dead had the potential to do for co-op games what CS did for multiplayer gaming.

With that in mind, we’re taking a trip down memory lane to celebrate the history of Left 4 Dead.ĭeveloped by Turtle Rock Studios, Left 4 Dead entered into development around mid-2005 before being revealed by the end of 2006. As this is being published, spiritual successor Back 4 Blood is launching on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X | S, along with a release through Xbox Game Pass. The 4 vs all zombie horde shooter is considered by many gamers of a certain age to be their first memorable online co-op experience, and the formula, or small aspects of it, has gone on to inspire the likes of World War Z, Zombie Army, Deep Rock Galactic, Vermintide, Payday and others.ĭespite its relatively short lifespan, with only two games released in the space of 12 months, Left 4 Dead’s legacy is still being felt to this day. If one game series seems to have influenced co-op gaming more than any other, it’s Left 4 Dead.

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